The Yarrawonga Pigeons have taken care of business with a comfortable 83-point victory over the Wodonga Raiders at Biralee Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Pigeons began with complete ascendancy of the contest, controlling the ball all over the ground on the large spaces of Birralee Park.
Despite dominating possession, the Pigeons failed to convert their opportunities onto the scoreboard with wayward kicking the only obstacle in the way of a blistering hot start to the game.
A two goal and nine-point opening quarter was not the ideal start for the visitors however 17 to 6 inside fifties signalled alarm bells for the Raiders.
Mark Whiley was back to his brilliant best through the midfield racking up 12 disposals early whilst Bailey Frauenfelder was seen rebounding off half-back several times with 7 disposals himself for the quarter.
Some positional changes were made by the Pigeons at quarter time in an attempt to stretch the Raiders defence. Matt Casey was swung forward and immediately looked threatening in his preferred position at centre half forward.
Once again however, the Pigeons hoodoo in front of the big sticks continued, adding a further 8 points with just the two goals for the quarter.
The scoreboard was not a sight for sore eyes at half time reading 4.17.41 to 1.3.9.
Credit where credit is due, the young Wodonga Raiders outfit came out after the main break and served it right up to the Pigeons however could only sustain it for a short period of time. After reducing the margin to just 20-points midway through the quarter, the Pigeons finally clicked into gear and began to dominate the Raiders.
Six unanswered goals to finish the quarter was much more like it for the Pigeons as they went into the final change with a healthy 60-point lead.
A strong and consistent message from Coach Steve Johnson is to be ruthless and to continue with the audacious game style when you get the opportunity, much was the way the Geelong Cats went about their business from 2007-2011.
The Pigeons wanted to build on their lead and give themselves an all-important percentage boost.
The final quarter was a high scoring one with both teams getting great looks on goal.
The Pigeons were able to pile on another 7 goals to the Raiders 4 to extend the margin out to 83-points at the final siren.
Leigh Williams, Matt Casey and Nick Fothergill all hit the scoreboard strongly to finish off the game.
Yarrawonga now look forward to hosting Lavington at the JC Lowe Oval this week which will be a hard-fought contest no doubt.
Disposals: Mark Whiley 36, Harry Wheeler 27, Willie Wheeler 27, Nick Fothergill 25, Bailey Frauenfelder 25.
Oakfm Player of Year award votes and leaderboard after round 4.
Votes from Raiders v Yarrawonga: 5 Nick Fothergill, 4 Willie Wheeler, 3 Mark Whiley, 2 Cam Wilson 1 Ned Pendergast,
Leaderboard: Nick Fothergill 11, Angus Baker (Wod) 10, Mark Whiley and Josh Mathey (Wod) 9.
Reserves
Wodonga Raiders 1.0.6 defeated by Yarrawonga 17.12.114.
The Yarrawonga Reserves have come away big winners against the Wodonga Raiders in a scrappy game post quarter time at Birralee Park.
The Pigeons could not have started the game any better this week. Winning clearance, giving off the first option and providing their forward with a great opportunity to kick goals.
Jacob Adkins was white hot early, booting through an incredible five goals in just the first quarter alone which included a miraculous goal from the boundary line.
The engine room which included Doug Arnold, Will Robinson and Reed Bonat were all busy winning their fair share of the ball whilst Matt Grinter, in a surprise move, was patrolling the defensive end of the ground with brilliant ball use.
Old timer and superstar Xavier Leslie was crafty up forward once again, slotting through five majors for the day.
The Pigeons ran away 108-point winners against the Raiders and will now quickly turn their attention to the Lavington Panthers who will provide a tough contest at the JC Lowe Oval.
Goals: Jacob Adkins 7, Xavier Leslie 5, Dillon Walsh-Hall 3, Doug Arnold 1, Nick Gorman 1.
Best: Reid Clarke, Will Robinson, Jacob Adkins, Xavier Leslie, Matthew Grinter, Reed Bonat.
Thirds
Wodonga Raiders 2.3, 7.6, 10.10, 15.13.103.
Yarrawonga: 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 2.1.13.
Goals: Wodonga Raiders: Finn Gray 5, Tom Johnson 3, Jack Stewart 2, Beau O’Neill 1, Logan Oates 1, Declan Ramage 1, Lincoln Reed 1, Archer Scammell 1.
Yarrawonga: Joe Lindrea 1, Patrick Waugh 1.
Best: Wodonga Raiders: Jack Stewart, Declan Ramage, Harry Sweetman, Angus Quinn, Finn Gray, Ethan Deery.
Yarrawonga: Hunter Frauenfelder, Geoffrey Montgomery, Luke Slattery, Private player, Lockie Dwyer, Taj Smith.
PIGEONS LOFT
On a perfect day for football and netball at Raiders, all the senior teams got the chocolates with the C Grade game going down to the wire. It was just a cracker!
However, from there the Raiders were too good, in particular, in all the junior grades.
But hey, 5 from 8, that is not the worst day at the park.
Upstairs this Saturday afternoon is the Mint Boutique Ladies Day – meet me in Palm Springs.
As always, the event is hosted by Paris Bonat. It is sure to be a wonderful day.
It is not too late, maybe, so get into Paris and secure your ticket.
Special thanks to the myriad of supporters and sponsors of the day including Bella Pelle and Bang Events (Drew and Anna Barnes) who fit out our rooms.
If you need event assistance, make sure you hit up Anna @BangEvents.
Our next home game is more than a month away - King’s birthday v Wodonga. The occasion will be marked with a Past Players Event on the outer.
More details will follow but contact Craig Ednie and Nick Dykes to secure your seat to this all-inclusive day on the outer wing.
Also, on the day the 2013 Premiership team will also be honoured.
If you have not got your membership, they are available at the gate or Hargraves during business hours: 16 Orr Street, Yarrawonga.
We take this opportunity to thank our major partners: ClubMulwala, Kennedy Builders, Belmores, BETR, Blum, Yarrawonga Holiday Park, Yarrawonga Hotel and Yield Finance for their support.
Pigeon Con’s drinking: A math teacher at Ladies’ Day was quizzed: "If I have 5 bottles in one hand and 6 in the other hand, what do I have?" ANSWER: "A drinking problem”.
Awards:
Netball: Squires Winery – Laura Ryan (special thanks to Paul and Squires for coming on board), Yarrawonga Hotel – Caitlyn Whitelock.
Football: Yarrawonga Hotel – Mark Whiley, Yarrawonga Hotel – Brendan Ryan.
